Social Justice Education

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Social Justice Education

Student Life offers a holistic approach to foster a respectful and inclusive community on campus, as well as opportunities for students to explore identities and develop leadership skills. Valuing the development of all students, we provide co­curricular workshops, dialogues, community spaces, and resources to promote self­ knowledge and growth within a larger community and social context. We work alongside students to empower them as leaders, critical thinkers, community builders, and social change agents.

Looking for a space on campus where you can be surrounded by great texts, amazing company, and more? Come visit the Social Justice Resource Room. The Student Life Social Justice Resource Room, located in 304 Diana. is a newly renovated cozy student space​ featuring an extensive social justice​ library, hot water for tea, comfortable furniture for reflection, and chalk boards for community brainstorming. We believe knowledge, community, and wellness to be the core pillars of a social justice pursuit and intend this Resource Room to be a place where Barnard students can find all three. The Social Justice Resource Room is open for community use Monday-Friday ​from 9am­-5pm and available for reservation after hours (5pm-12am/midnight). To submit an after-hours reservation, please ​complete this form: http://goo.gl/forms/lWXmsvyp6i

Barnard Blue

The Barnard BLUE Series includes workshops, dialogues, and a summit around leadership development and social justice education. This series is aimed to engage students in intentional dialogues to explore their identities and what it means to foster inclusive communities. All incoming students are required to attend the Discover Barnard BLUE session during NSOP as an introduction to the series and to begin the conversation about what equitable and inclusive communities mean. Our Collective, workshops, and summit exist to further that conversation during a students times at Barnard.

Discover Barnard BLUE

Every incoming student is required to attend this session during the New Student Orientation Program. Discover Barnard BLUE (DBB) replaced what was "Perspectives on Diversity" and serves as an interactive session to assist students in defining what is an equitable and inclusive community, and what there are hopes are for their time at Barnard. We specifically explore the many identities that all students bring to campus and discuss how these identities impact how we all uniquely contribute to and intersect with the larger Barnard community. Discover Barnard BLUE is facilitated by Student Life staff and NSOP Orientation Leaders.

BLUEprint

BLUEprint is an semester-long cohort program focusing on social justice education offered through Barnard Student Life. Through facilitated dialogue, we will focus on the ways in which identity affects systems, as well as our everyday lives. The course will cover topics such as power, oppression, allyship, and liberation. The ultimate goal of BLUEprint is to allow students the space for challenging conversations by highlighting a multitude of voices and experiences of students on Barnard's campus.

BLUE Summit

Application currently closed! Look out for Spring 2019.

This off-campus, weekend summit embodies a holistic approach to leadership, exploring how our multiple identities and experiences shape our development as leaders. It is open to all Barnard students and helps foster a sense of community by focusing on personal growth, identity exploration, and building meaningful connections with others. We travel to the YMCA Greenkill Retreat Center.

Who attends the BLUE Summit?
The BLUE Summit is open to ALL Barnard students, ALL identities and ALL types of leaders! Campus or student organization leadership experience is not required to participate. We are looking for a broad variety of students who are open to sharing with and learning from others during the retreat weekend.

When are we leaving?
The retreat experience begins at Barnard with a pre-departure meeting. We will meet at 11AM (location TBA) for a delicious lunch and general meet and greet before we start the journey upstate to the camp facility. Make sure you bring your luggage to this meeting; the bus will leave campus at 1:00pm immediately following the lunch! Our bus will depart from the Barnard main gate at W117th and Broadway.

Where are we going?
We will be staying at the Greenkill YMCA camp facility in Hugenot, NY. This is a dorm-like facility with heating, beds, showers, and other amenities. We will not be camping in tents. For more information about the camp, please check out their website: http://www.newyorkymcacamp.org

Be advised that there is limited cell service at the Greenkill YMCA facility. Past retreat participants have really enjoyed having the opportunity to unplug and unwind! Just remember to share the camp address and phone number with a friend or family member before you leave campus.

What should I pack?
Your meals, towels/wash cloths and bed linens will be provided by the site. You should bring: toiletries/ personal hygiene items, comfortable clothing that you can layer, walking shoes, an umbrella, music, and any fun games or activities to share with the group. A more extensive packing list will be provided to participants closer to the departure.

What are we going to be doing at the retreat?
All workshops and sessions will be facilitated by Barnard students and administrators who make up the BLUE Summit Leadership Team. These activities will focus on identity exploration, intersectionality, personal growth and development, leadership skills, and ways to positively impact the Barnard community. Past retreats have included topics such as: exploring the Barnard student identity, developing a web of support as a leader, and a seminar which explores body image and self- esteem. There will also be time to get to know each other, play games, and hang out together!

Will I have time to do homework or complete assignments?
While there are scheduled breaks built into the retreat schedule, that time should be spent making meaningful connections with other retreat participants. There will be time during the bus ride that you can use to read or study, but we strongly encourage you to complete assignments prior to retreat departure.

Will my special dietary needs be met during the retreat?
Absolutely! Be sure to tell us about your dietary needs on your BLUE Summit application, and we will be sure to accommodate them during the retreat weekend.

When will we return?
The bus will return to campus by 1:30pm on Sunday afternoon.

Am I required to pay a non-refundable deposit to confirm my spot on the BLUE Summit?
While this summit is free for students, the associated costs (travel, lodging, meals, workshop materials, etc.) are paid by the College. Since this is a large, non-refundable commitment that we are investing your development, we kindly ask that you keep this in mind before confirming that you will join us. Please help us to have this event in the future by respecting your commitment when confirming your attendance.

Barnard Equity in Action

Barnard Equity in Action is a new two-part series hosted by Barnard Student Life.The goal of the program is to build skills and deepen knowledge around issues of social justice. Participants will receive a recognition placard after completing Introduction session + 1 advanced session.

It is open to all students, faculty, and staff.

Advanced Sessions

Open to participants who complete an Introduction session. Participants will receive a recognition placard after completing Introduction session + 1 advanced session.

* More advanced sessions will be announced in the fall semester.

Events & Opportunities

Each semester Barnard Student Life sets aside a portion of financial resources to assist Barnard students who wish to pursue individual or group leadership development opportunities through conference/workshop attendance. For consideration, an application must meet the following requirements: Only Barnard students (in good standing) are eligible to apply, the leadership experience must directly relate or contribute to the personal development of the Barnard student(s) who attend, The SLDG may not be used to fund research or academic programs/conferences, strong preference will be given to applications which highlight how the knowledge gained will be applied on campus, and all Leadership Development Grant applications must be received at least 4 weeks before the conference/workshop is scheduled to take place.